New Recreational Groundfish Regulations For 2021

^{Vermilion rockfish
photo © katastrophe1 CC BY-NC 2.0}

If you are a recreational angler or spearfisher and plan on fishing for rockfish, lingcod, California scorpionfish (sculpin), and other species of “groundfish” in 2021, continue reading to learn about important regulation changes that will take effect in the new year. Anglers and spearfishers should check CDFW’s website for the current regulations before fishing for groundfish, and are advised that some groundfish regulations printed in the 2020-21 ocean sport fishing regulations book will be out of date starting January 1, 2021.

CDFW Seeks Recommendations for Prospective Pacific Fishery Management Council Members

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is soliciting recommendations to fill two upcoming vacancies on the Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC). CDFW must receive recommendations by 5 p.m. on Dec. 11, 2020.

The vacancies include California’s obligatory PFMC member and one At-Large member, both of which expire in August, 2021.

New Commercial Dungeness Crab Fishery Regulations In Effect for 2020-2021 Season

Commercial crab traps
CDFW photo by C. Juhasz

New regulations that formally establish the Risk Assessment and Mitigation Program (RAMP) (found under California Code of Regulations Title 14, Section 132.8) go into effect on November 1, 2020. The program assesses and works to minimize the risk of marine life entanglement with fishing gear associated with the commercial Dungeness crab fishery. The focal species protected

CDFW Seeks Nominees for Ocean Resources Enhancement Advisory Panel

White seabass
photo courtesy HSWRI

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is soliciting nominations for the Ocean Resources Enhancement Advisory Panel (OREAP). The OREAP is a legislatively mandated advisory body that advises CDFW’s Director in establishing policy and direction, including the expenditure of fee revenue, for the Ocean Resources Enhancement and Hatchery Program. The purpose of the program is to determine if hatchery-released

Upcoming Webinar to Introduce California Halibut Stock Assessment and Review Panel Findings

California halibut
photo by M. Haggerty

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) and California Ocean Science Trust invite interested members of the public, Tribes and Tribal communities, and stakeholders to an informational webinar about the California halibut stock assessment. The webinar will be held Wednesday, October 28, 2020 from 10:00 a.m. to noon, PST.